Ocean Import Freight Operator / Sea Freight Import Specialist

ALS Recruiting Ltd; Bradford; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Annual leave

Job summary

ALS Recruiting Ltd is seeking an experienced Ocean Imports Operator in Bradford to manage high-volume deep-sea ocean import consignments. You will own end-to-end processes from origin booking to UK port delivery, ensuring accurate docs and regulatory compliance.

You will coordinate with carriers and agents to secure rates, monitor milestones, and protect margins, while supporting key accounts and maintaining high service levels.

Qualifications

• Proven background in ocean import freight forwarding operations.
• Solid understanding of deep-sea ocean import documentation, Incoterms, and UK import customs procedures.

Responsibilities

• Ocean Import Freight Desk: own ocean import files (FCL & LCL) across international trade lanes from origin booking to UK port arrival and final delivery.
• Import Customs & Documentation: prepare UK import customs entries, Bills of Lading, and shipping documents in line with UK regulations.
• Supply Chain & Carrier Coordination: work with ocean carriers, shipping lines, overseas freight agents, and hauliers to secure competitive ocean freight rates and optimize transit times.
• Key Account Management: act as the primary operational contact for key client accounts with milestone tracking and issue resolution.
• File Profitability: oversee ocean import job costing, audit supplier charges, and ensure accurate billing to protect margins.

Skills

Ocean import

Freight forwarding

Incoterms

Carrier coordination

Tools

CargoWise One

MultiFreight

Job description

Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK

Salary: Up to £38,000 + Benefits (DOE)

A leading global freight forwarder with operations in Bradford is hiring an experienced Ocean Imports Operator to manage high-volume deep-sea ocean import consignments. If you want operational autonomy, excellent job stability, and strong international growth potential within sea freight imports, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ocean Import Freight Desk: Take complete ownership of ocean import files (FCL & LCL) across international trade lanes, managing shipments from initial origin booking straight through to UK port arrival and final delivery.
• Import Customs & Documentation: Prepare and process crucial UK import customs entries, Bills of Lading (MBL/HBL), and shipping documentation in full compliance with UK import regulations.
• Supply Chain & Carrier Coordination: Work alongside ocean carriers, shipping lines, overseas freight agents, and domestic hauliers to secure competitive ocean freight rates and optimize import transit times.
• Key Account Management: Act as the primary operational contact for key client accounts, delivering real-time milestone tracking updates and proactively resolving route bottlenecks.
• File Profitability: Oversee ocean import job costing, audit supplier charges, and execute accurate client billing to protect file margins.

Requirements:

• Proven background in ocean import freight forwarding operations.
• Solid understanding of deep-sea ocean import documentation, Incoterms, and UK import customs procedures.
• Hands-on experience using freight platforms like CargoWise One, MultiFreight, or similar system environments.
• Sharp problem-solving ability and strong attention to detail under tight port and shipping cut-off deadlines.
• Competitive basic salary up to £38,000 dependent on experience.
• Structured career growth paths within a global freight forwarding network.
• Comprehensive benefits package and a generous annual leave allowance.